Police Arrest Man for Threatening Women, Child with Knives

COLUMBIA - The Columbia Police Department arrested a man Tuesday morning for allegedly attacking a woman and child and threatening them with knives.

The department said it arrested 45-year-old Joseph L. Bradford after they say he forced his way into a residence he moved out of in December. Police said when Bradford entered, a 24-year-old female victim, a 53-year-old female victim and a one-year-old child were inside. Officers arrested Bradford for armed criminal action, first degree burglary, second degree domestic assault and first degree endangering the welfare of a child after the incident.

The department said officers headed to the home in the 500 block of Pear Tree Circle around 4:15 a.m. Tuesday. Police said Bradford came into the house and punched the 24-year-old female victim. Police said the victim was holding her one-year-old child and Bradford struck the child on the head with his elbow.

Police said Bradford put the 24-year-old victim in a head lock on the floor while she was holding the child. Police said Bradford got up and retrieved two steak knives from the kitchen but put them down.

Police said Bradford then went outside and returned to the residence with a butcher knife. Police said Bradford went after the victim with the butcher knife and she locked herself in a room.

Police said Bradford walked out of the residence and officers told him to turn around and get on the ground. Officers said Bradford refused and Bradford told officers to shoot him. Officers repeatedly ordered to get on the ground and the department said officers had to use a taser to handcuff him.

Police said the female victim had scratches and bumps. The juvenile victim had a minor bump on the face. The 53-year-old victim did not have any injuries. Bradford did not have any injuries from the taser deployment. Bradford and the victims know each other.